Chapter 00282: The Argumentative Lan Xiaobu
# The Argumentative Lan Xiaobu
Chapter 282
Novel: Abandon The Universe
Chapter 282: The Argumentative Lan Xiaobu
Although Teng Mo held the position of a Grand Immortal Officer and had a powerful backer in the form of a Department Head, he couldn't do much to Lan Xiaobu.
As for the position of a Minor Immortal Officer, Teng Mo didn't care much for it.
The only benefit here was the freedom it offered, and of course, the yet-to-be-obtained wood-attribute immortal spirit vein was also a significant factor.
Previously, he hadn't gone looking for Bian Yufeng because his strength wasn't sufficient.
Now that he had reached the fourth level of the Great Yi Immortal realm, he could finally go after that guy.
Teng Mo spoke seriously, "Immortal Officer Lan, you should already know that our Star Ascension Immortal Court is preparing to participate in the alchemy competition of the Mysterious Profound Immortal Domain. This competition is very important to me. Before, I had no hope and could only live as a salted fish. But now, with a glimmer of hope, I don't want to give up."
The alchemy competition itself didn't matter much; what mattered was how much it affected him.
Lan Xiaobu remained silent, waiting for Teng Mo to explain further.
Although he hadn't been in the Forbidden Immortal Bureau for long, Teng Mo had already gathered all the information about Lan Xiaobu.
Lan Xiaobu had used his connections with Jin Buqiao to become an Immortal Clerk shortly after joining.
Within a few months, Lan Xiaobu had released Ju Xiuruo, using her as bait to solve the case of the Wumu Market, which also led to the downfall of the Jing Prince's estate.
Naturally, Lan Xiaobu was promoted to the position of Minor Immortal Officer.
Despite being a Minor Immortal Officer, even the most senior Minor Immortal Officer, Qi Yunshu, followed Lan Xiaobu's orders.
This showed just how extraordinary Lan Xiaobu was.
Because he had investigated Lan Xiaobu, Teng Mo decided to be honest about his needs and not play any tricks with Lan Xiaobu.
The Wumu Market case might seem like a coincidence, but Teng Mo didn't believe in coincidences.
There were no such things as coincidences; every coincidence was the result of strength, whether it was planning or something else.
"Our Star Ascension Immortal Court's Immortal King has already reached the Immortal Emperor realm and will soon enter long-term seclusion to break through to an even higher level. Therefore, the Immortal King hopes to pass on the legacy of the Immortal Court. There are fifteen of us brothers, and my competitiveness is relatively weak, almost non-existent..."
Hearing this, Lan Xiaobu nodded inwardly.
This Teng Mo was being honest.
If he had claimed to have strong competitiveness or a bunch of powerful backers, Lan Xiaobu wouldn't have gotten involved.
Cooperating with someone dishonest could lead to being betrayed without even knowing it.
Teng Mo continued, "The Immortal King will select his successor through two competitions: the first is the alchemy competition, and the second is the state of the mortal worlds under our control. In the second competition, I don't lose to anyone, but in the first, I am powerless. The best alchemists have already been taken by my brothers, or they simply don't see any potential in me. Even if I wanted to invite them, I couldn't."
"Grand Immortal Officer..."
Teng Mo stopped Lan Xiaobu, "Xiaobu, if you respect me, just call me by my name. Titles like Grand Immortal Officer make it seem distant."
Lan Xiaobu didn't mind the form of address and asked, "Brother Teng, what do you mean by the mortal worlds under your control?"
Teng Mo gave Lan Xiaobu a puzzled look but still explained seriously, "The realm of an immortal domain is vast and boundless, with countless mortal worlds existing within it. Only when these mortal worlds are prosperous and peaceful will the people thrive, and more geniuses will emerge to enter the immortal domain..."
Lan Xiaobu was even more confused, "Brother Teng, are you saying that the mortal worlds need the Immortal Court to control the weather? Not only to prevent droughts and floods but also to ensure that people have food, clothing, and shelter?"
Teng Mo pondered for a moment before replying, "That's roughly correct, but the reality is far more complex."
Lan Xiaobu chuckled, "These things can be done by a slightly powerful cultivator, right? For example, a True God Realm cultivator could easily handle this. Why would the Immortal Court need to send immortals to do it? If cultivators aren't willing to do it, the Immortal Court certainly wouldn't have anyone to spare. More importantly, I've heard that mortal worlds have their own natural laws. The cycle of seasons, life, and death are all part of the natural order. Why would there be a need for artificial interference?"
Teng Mo truly didn't understand why Lan Xiaobu was questioning such simple matters and even speaking so confidently.
He could only explain, "It's not as simple as you think. First, a True God Realm cultivator can indeed control the weather in a small area, but a mortal world is enormous. Even tens of thousands of True God Realm cultivators couldn't cover it all. Not to mention that no cultivator would be willing to waste their time on such tasks. Even if they did, their efforts would be like a drop in the ocean, barely enough to help a small village within a radius of a dozen miles. Controlling an entire mortal world and understanding its needs is far beyond their capabilities. Moreover, when cultivators use their techniques to control the weather, the effects are not only minimal but can also disrupt the balance of natural laws, creating hidden dangers. You might bring rain to one area, but it could lead to floods or droughts elsewhere. As for the natural laws you mentioned, it's true that some mortal worlds have complete natural laws, and the cycle of the Dao is governed by these laws. But such mortal worlds are rare."
Lan Xiaobu frowned, "From what I know, rain in mortal worlds is formed by the natural evolution of the laws of heaven and earth. Why would there be a need to control it?"
Lan Xiaobu was very clear about how rain formed.
Clouds contain a large amount of water vapor, and when they reach a certain thickness, rain falls.
Water evaporates under sunlight, forming water vapor, which then condenses into raindrops when it meets cold air.
Faced with Lan Xiaobu's argumentative questioning, Teng Mo simply smiled, "The Immortal Court's control over mortal affairs is vast. I was just using weather control as an example. In many places, rain does form naturally, as you said, and doesn't require interference. But there are always exceptions. For example, if a place hasn't seen rain for years, then artificial intervention is necessary to prevent famine."
Lan Xiaobu said indifferently, "That makes even less sense to me. If even cultivators aren't willing to waste time on mundane mortal affairs, why would an immortal bother? Just to ensure that mortals live better lives?"
If Lan Xiaobu were asked to do such things, he wouldn't have a problem with it.
He himself came from a mortal background and believed in equality between immortals and mortals.
Immortals were just people who had unlocked their potential and lived longer.
Lan Xiaobu didn't believe that all cultivators thought this way.
Many immortals would even destroy entire planets for the sake of their cultivation.
Teng Mo hesitated for a longer time this time before finally making up his mind and saying, "Brother Xiaobu, there are some things that many people don't know, but I'm willing to tell you. Do you know what an Immortal Court relies on to endure?"
Without waiting for Lan Xiaobu to answer, Teng Mo continued, "It's fortune and great wish power. The vast universe is filled with endless mysterious forces. Fortune is intangible but always present. The fortune of an Immortal Court is gathered through its own efforts, and great wish power comes from the worship of countless mortals. Some Immortal Courts call this power merit. Immortals who work for the mortal worlds not only gain a large amount of fortune and merit but also strengthen the fortune of the Immortal Court and accumulate wish power. Besides, there's something even more important..."
"What is it?" Lan Xiaobu blurted out.
Even though no one else was listening, Teng Mo still lowered his voice, "If a cultivator wants to reach higher realms, even unprecedented heights, they must have a place where they can gather the fortune of their Dao. This place can be a sect, an Immortal Court, or something else. No matter what form it takes, it must exist. You should understand now why we all want to compete to become the Immortal King's successor, right?"
Lan Xiaobu suddenly understood something.
No wonder, after obtaining the Cosmic Dimension Matrix, he always wanted to establish an immortal city, a sect, or even an Immortal Court.
This was the place where he could gather the fortune of his Dao.
With such a place, he could reach higher realms in the future.
"If one's Dao has no place to gather fortune, it's like a tree without roots or water without a source. Eventually, it will collapse. The Immortal King's successor can also gather the fortune of their Dao, which is crucial for their future path. Brother Xiaobu, in the future, if you achieve great things and establish your own alchemy sect, I will definitely support you wholeheartedly."
Teng Mo's words were a heartfelt confession to Lan Xiaobu.
Lan Xiaobu clasped his fists, "Thank you for telling me this. Can you explain how this alchemy competition works?"
Teng Mo's spirits lifted upon hearing this.
After explaining so much, they had finally reached the main topic.
"This alchemy competition is highly valued by the entire Mysterious Profound Immortal Domain. The previous alchemy competition of the Eternal Jade Alchemy Sect was also for this opportunity. If the Eternal Jade Alchemy Sect can rank in the top ten in the Star Ascension Immortal Court's alchemy competition, they will have a chance to advance to a seven-star sect and receive access to secret realms and other rewards. That's not all; they will also have the opportunity to represent the Star Ascension Immortal Court in the Mysterious Profound Immortal Court's alchemy competition. If they achieve a ranking there, the rewards will be even more substantial."
No wonder Xiao Yueshui was so focused on this alchemy competition.
He wanted the Eternal Jade Alchemy Sect to advance to a seven-star sect.
Teng Mo continued, "There are fifteen of us, the sons of the Immortal King, though now there are probably only fourteen. As long as we represent the Star Ascension Immortal Court in the Mysterious Profound Immortal Domain's alchemy competition and achieve good results, we will have a chance to become the Immortal King's successor."
Lan Xiaobu asked, "So, do I need to participate in the Star Ascension Immortal Court's alchemy competition first, get selected, and then represent you in the Mysterious Profound Immortal Domain's competition?"
"No, as the sons of the Immortal King, we have the right to directly participate in the Mysterious Profound Immortal Domain's alchemy competition. However, each of us can only choose two alchemists. Because I'm not seen as a strong contender, I haven't been able to find any alchemists willing to compete for me."
Teng Mo sighed.
It was precisely because he couldn't find anyone that he had come to look at the Eternal Jade Alchemy Sect, which others had overlooked.
"What are the requirements for alchemists participating in the Mysterious Profound Immortal Domain's competition?"
"As long as they are under 100,000 years old, they can participate."
After explaining, Teng Mo felt it wasn't enough and added, "The first-place winner of the Mysterious Profound Immortal Domain's alchemy competition will receive a top-grade fire-attribute immortal spirit vein. In addition, they will also receive a post-natal spiritual treasure cauldron. It's said that everyone wants this cauldron, but since there's only one, it's being used as a reward for the competition's first place. Oh, and there's also a small world."
Without hesitation, Lan Xiaobu said, "Brother Teng, count me in for this competition. Just let me know when it starts."
With so many good things up for grabs, it would be foolish not to participate.
(That's all for today's update.
Goodnight, everyone! Also, please vote for me!)
(End of Chapter)